Open Technology Group President Announces $100,000 Scholarship Fund for Hampton University Students
The DEIB in Black Analytics scholarship, a significant commitment of $100,000 over four years, was launched in 2023 by Leon Burns III and the Open Technology Group at Hampton University. This scholarship aims to encourage and support African American students pursuing careers in data analytics, with a goal to increase Black representation in analytics fields that influence business, economics, and societal algorithms.
Background
Leon Burns III, the president of Open Technology Group since 2022, has a background in various roles within the tech industry before taking on his current position. Prior to joining Open Technology Group, Burns worked in ground operations, help desk, management, and quality assurance. He pursued an MBA at Long Island University and earned his undergraduate degree in management from Hampton University.
Launch and Eligibility
The scholarship was launched at Hampton University's James T. George School of Business, targeting African American students interested in business analytics and data analytics careers. The scholarship is also connected to broader efforts to start a business analytics curriculum at Hampton University, suggesting applicants are likely students or prospective students there.
Impact and Goals
The scholarship intends to diversify the field by creating opportunities for Black students to enter and succeed in data analytics. It seeks to foster leadership in AI through education that combines technical expertise with ethical grounding. The scholarship helps empower students to use AI creatively and critically, enhancing their career readiness in evolving tech landscapes. It also encourages scholarship recipients to give back to the community, amplifying long-term impacts on representation and inclusion in analytics.
This scholarship stands as a concrete initiative for increasing Black participation in a high-growth, influential field where diversity has historically been limited. It not only supports individual students financially but also aims to influence institutional curriculum development, thereby broadening access and inclusion in data analytics education and careers.
Scholarship Details
The scholarship provides $25,000 annually to support the academic journey of five students. Candidates for the scholarship must be full-time junior or senior students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Dr. Ziette Hayes, Dean of Hampton University's James T. George School of Business, praised Leon Burns' commitment to creating opportunities for the underrepresented in tech. According to Burns, his career mission has been to bridge the gap between corporate and community through a push for DEIB by providing valued opportunities.
For details on application criteria or further administrative aspects, those are typically provided by Hampton University or the Open Technology Group directly. The scholarship is being provided to students attending Hampton University's James T. George School of Business.
This scholarship, with its focus on systemic barriers that limit Black students' access and influence in analytics, exemplifies active investment in equity and inclusion for marginalized groups in tech and business analytics. While broader DEIB concepts underpin the scholarship’s philosophy, this particular program is a tangible example of Burns' mission to bridge the gap between corporate and community through valued opportunities.
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